• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.495-509
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• 2009

Objective : Membranous nephropathy(MN) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease and a relatively common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults worldwide. But treatment of MN is not defined. This study was to evaluate the effects of Acasia Catechu extract(ACE) on the MN induced by cBSA in mice. Methods : Mice were divided into 4 groups. The normal group was injected with a saline solution. The control group was treated with cBSA(10 mg/kg i.p.) only. The third group was treated with cBSA (10 mg/kg i.p.) and ACE (250 mg/kg, p.o.). The fourth group was treated with cBSA (10mg/kg i.p.) and ACE (500mg/kg, p.o.). After cBSA and ACE treatment for 6 weeks, we measured change of body weight, 24hrs proteinuria, serum albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, BUN, creatinine, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, IFN-$\gamma$, IgA, IgM and IgG levels. The morphologic changes of renal glomeruli were also observed with a light microscope. Results : The levels of 24 hrs proteinuria, total cholesterol, triglyceride, IgG, IgM, IgA, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, IFN-$\gamma$ significantly decreased in both ACE groups. The level of albumin significantly increased in both ACE groups. The mRNA expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ in splenocytes considerably decreased in the ACE-500 group. In histological findings of kidney tissue, thickening of GBM decreased in both ACE groups. Conclusions : This study shows that ACE might be effective for treatment of MN. More clinical data and studies are to be done for efficient application.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.312-318
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• 2016

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) such as $N^{\varepsilon}$-(carboxy-methyl)lysine (CML) have been implicated in the development of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of ethanolic extract of Aster koraiensis (AKE) on AGEs formation and AGEs-collagen cross-linking in vitro and CMLs formation in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. AKE significantly inhibited AGEs formation ($IC_{50}$ value of $18.74{\mu}g/mL$) and AGEs-collagen cross-linking ($IC_{50}$ value of 0.274 mg/mL) in vitro than the well-known glycation inhibitor aminoguanidine ($IC_{50}$ value of $72.12{\mu}g/mL$ and 1.99 mg/mL, respectively). AKE (100 mg/kg per day) was given to diabetic rats for 9 weeks. In STZ-induced diabetic rats, severe hyperglycemia was developed, and urinary CMLs and plasma CMLs were markedly increased. Immunohistochemical stain revealed that CMLs were accumulated within renal glomerulus in STZ-induced diabetic rats. However, AKE significantly reduced urinary CMLs and plasma CMLs in diabetic rats. CMLs accumulation was inhibited by AKE treatment in the renal glomerulus. These results suggest that AKE had an inhibitory effect of AGE accumulation in the glomeruli of diabetic rat and could be an inhibitor of AGE-induced protein cross-linking. The oral administration of AKE may significantly help to prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy in patients with diabetes.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.99-117
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• 2009

Diabetic nephropathy is a major cause of chronic renal failure in developing countries, and the prevalence rate has markedly increased during the past decade. Diabetic nephropathy shows various specific histological changes not only in the glomeruli but also in the tubulointerstitial region. In the early stage, the effacement of podocyte foot processes and thickened glomerular basement membrane (GBM) is noticed even at the stage of microalbuminuria. Nodular, diffuse, and exudative lesions, so-called diabetic glomerulosclerosis, are well known as glomerular lesions. Interstitial lesions also exhibit fibrosis, edema, and thickened tubular basement membrane. Diabetic nephropathy is considered to be multifactorial in origin with increasing evidence that one of the major pathways involved in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy as a result of hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia induces renal damage directly or through hemodynamic alterations, such as, glomerular hyperfiltration, shear stress, and microalbuminuria. Chronic hyperglycemia also induces nonhemodynamic dysregulations, such as, increased production of advanced glycosylation endproducts, oxidative stress, activation of signal pathway, and subsequent various cytokines. Those pathogenic mechanisms resulted in extracellular matrix deposition including mesangial expansion and GBM thickening, glomerular hypertrophy, inflammation, and proteinuria. In this review, recent opinions on the histopathologic changes and pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to initiation and progression of diabetic nephropathy will be introduced.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.652-657
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• 2000

The kidneys play a vital role in the maintenance of normal body fluid volumes and in the composition of the extracellular fluid compartments. There are normally more than 2 million functioning glomeruli that regulate total body water and solute concentrations. As renal failure progresses, there is a decrease in the number of functioning nephrons. Chronic renal failure(CRF) is the consequence of a multitude of diseases that cause permanent destruction of the nephron. Azotemia is an elevation in blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and serum creatinine levels subsequent to a decreased glomerular filtration rate(GFR), which results in uremia. This loss of renal function can cause functional and metabolic abnomalities of body. For this problem, oral & maxillofacial surgeons have demanded to routinely treat patients with CRF. However, there has not been a reported case of orthognathic surgery by bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy(BSSRO) in patients with CRF, which can cause multiple complications in healthy patients. We report developmental mechanism of complication associated with CRF and preop. and postop. care of orthognathic surgery by BSSRO in Cl III patient with severe chronic renal failure.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1063-1072
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• 2009

Membranous nephropathy(MN) is the most common cause of adult nephrotic syndrome worldwide. But treatment of MN is not defined. This study was to evaluate the effects of Lonicerae Flos Extract(LFE) on the MN induced by cBSA in mice. Mice were divided into 4 groups. The first group named for 'Normal' was injected with a saline solution. The second group named 'Control' treated with cBSA(10 mg/kg i.p) only. The third group named 'LFE-250', treated with cBSA(10 mg/kg i.p) and LFE(250 mg/kg, p.o). The fourth group named 'LFE-500'treated with cBSA(10 mg/kg i.p) and LFE(500 mg/kg, p.o). After cBSA and LFE treatment for 4 weeks, we measured change of body weight, 24hrs proteinuria, serum albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, BUN, creatinine, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-10, IFN-$\gamma$, IgA, IgM and IgG levels. The morphologic changes of renal glomeruli were also observed with a light microscope. The levels of 24 hrs proteinuria, total cholesterol, IgG , IgM, IgA, IL-6 were significantly decreased in both LFE groups. The level of triglyceride, IL-$1{\beta}$ was significantly decreased in LFE-500 group. The level of Albumin was significantly increased in LFE-250 group. The level of TNF-$\alpha$, IFN-$\gamma$ were significantly decreased in LFE-250 group. The mRNA expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ in splenocytes was consideraly decreased in LFE-500 group. In histological findings of kidney tissue, thickening of GBM decreased in both LFE groups. This study shows that the LFE might be effective for treatment of MN. More clinical data and studies are to be done for efficient application.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.100-105
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• 2007

Cockayne syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cachectic dwafism, mental retardation, loss of facial subcutaneous adipose tissue, microcephaly and photosensitive dermatitis. It is associated with renal abnormalities characterized by hyalinization of glomeruli, atrophy of tubules and interstitial fibrosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of Cockayne syndrome with FSGS in Korea. A 7-year old boy was admitted for evaluation of hypertension and proteinuria, which were detected 2 month ago. He was followed for short stature(<3 percentile), mental retardation(IQ 55), strabismus and dental caries since 3 years ago. He also showed microcephaly, a bird-like face and relatively large hands and feet. Laboratory findings showed decreased creatinine clearance($C_{Cr}$ 76.1 mL/min/$1.73m^2$) and proteinuria(1,548 mg/day). Renal biopsy demonstrated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis of the hilar type with large hyaline deposits, moderate tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. His cardinal features, mental retardation, and renal biopsy findings were consistent with Cockayne syndrome. We report here a very rare case of Cockayne syndrome with FSGS presenting with proteinuria and hypertension.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.787-799
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• 1994

To elucidate morphologic lesion of porcine exudative epidermitis which is occurred sporadically in Korea, Staphylococcus hyicus subsp. hyicus isolated from the naturally affected pigs was inoculated to suckling pigs. The infected piglets were observed grossly and histopathologically. Although affected piglets were taking acute, subacute, or chronic course, some piglets suffered from chronic disease showed poor prognosis and marked growth depression. Affected peglets had erythematous skin on the face, ear, and abdomen and these localized lesions appear as brownish spots of exudative epidermitis and fromed crust in the early stage. But, after this stage, the skin were covered by viscous greasy exudate and formed blackish brown crust and appeared fissures and hypertrophy. Grossly, there has been hemorrhage with the removal of crust-like materials of epidermis and edematous subcutis. The superficial lymph nodes were edematous and swollen or congested and hemorrhagic. Some piglets had swollen ureters, cysts in the renal cortex, or polyarthritis. A few cases had mild edematous swelling of kidney, intestinal catarrh and congestion of brain. Microscopically, skin lesions had detachment of keralinized layer and parakeratosis of epidermis, hydropic degeneration of epidermal cell, and retrogressive degeneration of hair root sheath. Dermis had edema, and infiltration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells. As the disease was proceeded, there was marked perivasculitis with lots of mononuclear inflammatory cells. More chronic lesions formed granuloma-like bodies(nodules) due to more mononuclear, perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration and proliferation of fibroblast. Lots of plasma cells and eosinophils were also present in dermis. Epidermis was hyperplastic by proliferation of basal cells stratum germinativum and epidermal pegs often extended into the dermis. In secondary infection, lots of neutrophils could be seen in epidermis and derms. Kidney had neutrophilic infiltration, necrotic and cystic glomeruli, and dilation of renal tubules and ureters. Purulent arthritis was sometimes observed in joints. Three days old mice administrated Staphylococcus hyicus subsp hyicus subcutaneously before had focal congestion and hemorrhage, necrosis, and subcutaneous edema of the skin. This observation was also seen in the study of mice administrated exfoliatin toxin of Staphylococcus which evoked human staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.105-111
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• 2005

End-stage renal disease is a fatal and devastating disease that is caused by progressive and irreversible loss of functioning nephrons in the kidney. Dialysis and renal transplantation are the common treatments at present, but these treatments have severe limitations. The present study investigated the possibility of reconstructing renal tissues by transplantation of renal precursor cells to replace the current treatments for end-stage renal disease. Embryonic renal precursor cells, freshly isolated from metanephroi of rat fetus at day 15 post-gestation, were seeded on biodegradable polymer scaffolds and transplanted into peritoneal cavities of athymic mice for three weeks. Histologic sections stained with hematoxylin & eosin and periodic acid-Schiff revealed the formation of primitive glomeruli, tubules, and blood vessels, suggesting the potential of embryonic renal precursor cells to reconstitute renal tissues. Immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a marker of proliferating cells, showed intensive nuclear expression in the regenerated renal structures, suggesting renal tissue reconstitution by transplanted embryonic renal precursor cells. This study demonstrates the reconstitution of renal tissue in vivo by transplanting renal precursor cells with biodegradable polymer scaffolds, which could be utilized as a new method for partial or full restoration of renal structure and function in the treatment of end-stage renal disease.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.165-170
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• 1996

Two experiments were conducted to search factor(s) affecting the plasma allantoin concentration in infant calves. In experiment 1, five male Holstein calves aged 1 week were given only milk replacer free from nucleic acids for 28 days Plasma allantoin concentration varied in a reverse proportion to daily amounts of milk replacer, and the concentration when calves received 750 g/d of milk replacer was significantly lower than that when they received 250 g/d. Contrary to plasma allantoin concentration, glomerular filtration rate(GFR) was directly proportional to daily amounts of milk replacer, leading to a constant filtration of allantoin across the glomeruli. Renal handling of allantion was also unaffected by the amount of milk replacer, resulting in the constant urinary excretion of allantoin. These results suggested that GFR, which was affected by the nutritional status, could affect plasma allantoin concentration. In experiment 2, the effect of age-related changes in nutritional status after weaning on GFR was examined in eight calves weaned at 5 weeks of age. The GFR expressed as body weight basis was lower immediately after weaning, but linearly increased up to the 19th week post-weaning. The present results suggested that the changes in GFR in response to nutritional status would be one of the possible causes of atypical plasma allantoin concentration immediately after weaning. We conclude that plasma allantoin concentration would not be a proper estimator of intestinal flow of microbial protein in cattle.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.266-275
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• 2015

Exposure to cadmium (Cd) has harmful effects on the liver and kidney. Resveratrol (RES) is an herbal substance that functions as a protective mediator. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RES on the histology of liver and kidney in Cd-exposed mice. Male mice were divided into 4 groups daily receiving normal saline (1 mL normal saline/d), Cd (1 mg/kg/d), RES (20 mg/kg/d), and Cd plus RES, respectively. After 4 weeks, the liver and kidney components were evaluated using stereological methods. The total volume and number of hepatocytes, and volume of fibrous tissue were respectively increased by 34%, 58%, and a 3-fold in the Cd-exposed mice in comparison to the control animals (P<0.03). On the other hand, the volume of the main vasculature (sinusoids and central veins) was decreased by 36% in the Cd group compared to the control mice (P<0.03). Considering the kidney, the results showed a 3-fold increase in the total glomeruli volume and a 7-fold increase in fibrous tissue in the Cd-treated group compared to the control mice (P<0.03). After Cd treatment, a 32% reduction was observed in the volume and length of the proximal and distal convoluted tubules. RES-treatment alone did not induce any structural changes. In comparison to the Cd group, an increase in the normal components of the liver and kidney and a decrease in the formation of the fibrous and degenerated tissues were observed in the Cd+RES-treated mice (P<0.03).